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VOLUME 105 NUMBER 38 EAGLE LAKE, TEXAS DECEMBER 11, 2008

Nelson Named To Head County EMS

The Raiders take the field for the final time during the 2008 season. Rice finished 12-1 with a District Championship and a second consecutive Regional Title.

Raiders Fall To Kirbyville In Semifinal The Rice Raiders (12-1) bowed

out of the payoffs last Friday night with a 61-42 loss to the Kirbyville Wildcats (13-0).

Rice finishes the season as the Region IV Champions for the second straight year. In fact, Rice's last two losses were in the State Semifinals, one game shy of the title game.

"That it was not how we want- ed it to end, but that I was very proud of the battle we gave the No. 1 team in the state," Rice Coach Brad Dumont said he told his team afterward.

The Raiders were ahead 28-26

at halftime of Friday's game, but were unable to keep pace with a potent offensive attack from Kir- byville. The Wildcats scored on every possession except for one, in the fourth quarter.

Despite being down at one point 55-28, the Raiders continued to play hard.

"Its all about motivation and challenging them. We have a great bunch of competitors," said Dumont of his team's play despite being down.

"I am proud that we defended our Regional Title and beat some great teams along the way. No

( NEWSBRIEFS ) RMC Auxiliary selling tickets

Rice Medical Center (RMC) auxiliary is having their Christmas fundraiser and selling tickets for a collectors edition of a Barbie doll in her Harley Davidson attire. Tickets are $1 each or $5 for six tickets. The Barbie doll is on display in the hospital gift shop. Tickets may be bought from any pink lady or you can call Barbara Pidgeon at 234-5571, ext 5236 and she will get the tickets to you. This is an ideal item to put on your Christmas list. Funds collected from fundraisers are used to aid the hospital in purchasing needed equipment and to purchase items for the gift shop.

RMC Blood Drive today Rice Medical Center (RMC) will hold its quarterly "Commit for

Life" blood drive Thursday, December 11 from 2-7 p.m. The donor coach will be located on the hospital visitor's parking lot. During the holiday season, there is usually a short supply ofblood. Lets all get out and do our good deed for 2008 by donating a unit of blood. Someday you may be in the need for blood and it would be reassuring to know that someone else has taken time to donate blood. For an appointment call Barbara Pidgeon at 979-234-5571, ext 5236. Walk-ins welcome. May each of you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Chamber "Parade of Lights" is Saturday The Eagle Lake Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual tradi-

tional Christmas "Parade of Lights" parade on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6:45 p.m. Lineup starts at 5 p.m.; judging from 6-6:30. Refreshments will be sold. For more information call the chamber at 979-234-2780 (8:30-noon) or email: chamber@elc.net.

Mt. Sinai anniversary services Dec. 14 Mount Sinai Evangelical Ministries hosts Pastor and wife first an-

niversary services on Sunday, December 14 at 3:30 p.m. Guest speaker is Rev. Truman Scott, pastor of Greater Rising Star Baptist Church.

Festival of Carols Dec. 14 Columbus Community Choir presents Festival of Carols. Perfor-

mances will be Sunday December 14 at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Columbus.

CD A presentation is Dec. 20 20th Century District Association ministers, ministers and deacon's

wives conference will present "The Birth of Jesus Christ Through Songs" Saturday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. at White Cloud Baptist Church in Eagle Lake. Speaker of the hour will be Pastor B: Sanford of Mt. Olive Baptist Church of El Campo. The public is invited.

Top cat dance is Dec. 21 Top Cat Dance Club will sponsor a dance Sunday, Dec. 21 at the

Fireman's Hall in Industry from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 2 with music provided by Central Texas Sounds. Plan to attend and enjoy an afternoon of dancing, fellowship and fun. Club membership is under- way. This is a non-profit club committed to providing first-class live bands that play polkas, waltzes, and country western music. For more information call 281-292-9331. The public is invited.

Fireworks show set for Dec. 31 A firework's show will be held New Year's Eve on Calhoun Road in

Eagle Lake. The annual celebration is open to the public and will blast off at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, however, donations will be accepted. For more information call 979-232-0233.

God's Gospel Angels concert is Jan. 24 God's Gospel Angels presents its first annual concert featuring lo-

cal gospel groups Saturday, Jan. 24,2009 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be held at Greater Rising Star Baptist Church, 580 Old Altair Road in Eagle Lake. For more information call 979-256-7971 or 979-234-7124.

one thought we would be 12-0 or District Champs," he said.

"Thanks to all of our support- ers throughout the year. I look forward to next year and taking the final step," Dumont added.

Kirbyville had 515 total yards, to the Raiders 400.

Kirbyville ran for 282 yards and passed for 233, while Rice relied

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McCrearys Named Parade Marshals

Colorado County commis- sioners, meeting on Monday, ap- proved promoting Patricia (Patty) Nelson to the position of director of the county Emergency Medical Services.

She will be charge of the coun- ty's ambulance operations.

Nelson has been serving as a full-time paramedic in the EMS department.

Nelson, 47, a resident of Co- lumbus, first started working with the EMS in Colorado County in 1988.

She also worked from Dec. 2001 to January 2008 as a para- medic shift supervisor in Fayette County and has been a full-time paramedic in Colorado County since January 2008.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Wash- ington University in 1984.

She also is a 1992 graduate of the paramedic course at Texas A&M University.

Her salary as EMS director will be $55,000 a year.

She replaces Chuck Rogers, who resigned that position, effec- tive at the end of December.

Rogers will remain as the county's emergency management coordinator.

Commissioners set his salary for that position at $30,000 a year, with no county benefits.

He will also work as the coun- ty's communications coordinator and will be a backup to the 9-1-1 addressing coordinator and the county's septic tank inspector and flood plain coordinator.

Rogers also is employed as a firefighter for the City of Hous- ton.

Previously, Rogers received $36,000 annually as the county's EMS director and $6,000 as the emergency management coor- dinator.

Jamison said he felt the in- creases in salaries were justified, based on the performance of the individuals and the pay for com- parable positions in neighboring counties.

"It's important we keep our salaries updated," Jamison said.

The action on the position came after a brief closed ses- sion.

In other action, commission- ers:

-Set a date of Jan. 12 at 9:10 a.m. for a public hearing on set- ting a 35 mph speed limit on Tum- linson Road in Precinct 3.

Continued on page 14

The Eagle Lake Chamber of Commerce Proudly presents to, you our 2008 "Traditional Christ- mas Parade of Lights" Parade Marshals Joe and Candy Mc- Creary.

Joe McCreary is a hometown boy born in Eagle Lake to Joe Lee and Eleanor McCreary. He has one sister, Doris Terrell. He graduated from San Marcus Academy and then on to Whar- ton County Jr. College where he received his Associate of Arts degree. Also Joe served 2 years in the United States Army with a tour in Vietnam. Joe worked for LCRA for 27 years.

Candy McCreary was born in Groveton, Texas. She came to Eagle Lake after graduating from University of Texas at Austin to begin her teaching career.

Joe and Candy married on August 9,1975. And that is when the fun began! On their hon- eymoon, Candy convinced Joe to call the Department of Child Protective Services to apply as foster parents. She figured if there were ever a time when she could convince Joe to take in unknown children, it was at this time. Over

the next seven years they had a tQtal of 18 foster children. Their very first foster child has called every Mother's Day for the past 32 years to wish Candy a Happy Mother's Day! They served as foster parents until 1982 when their son, Chris McCreary was born. Joe and Candy always give credit to Christ Episcopal Church for helping raise all of their foster children. The church always took in the children and treated them like their own.

Joe is a chartered member of the Colorado County Volunteer Ambulance Corp. Joe and Candy, plus the rest of the volunteers, were some of the first in the state to get their EMT training to do this. Joe served on the Volunteer Ambulance Corp for 17 years and Candy served for eight years.

Candy worked in Eagle Lake Middle School and East Bernard as a Special Education teacher for the next seven years. She always brought students home with her so their home was never empty or dull.

Candy decided she wanted to

Continued on page 14

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fl all Joe and Candy McCreary have been named Parade Marshals

for the Eagle Lake Chamber of Commerce 2008 "Traditional Christmas Parade of Lights."

On Monday afternoon a tractor trailer overturned near the Colorado River bridge on Hwy. 90A about 4:30 p.m. The rig caught fire before one of the gas tanks exploded causing a massive ball of flames. The trailer appeared to have overcorrected after losing control, causing it to overturn. The driver reportedly received only minor injuries. No further details were available as of press time.